Add Time Query

A Time Query allows you to obtain time-dependent data from a dynamic analysis, that would not otherwise be available. For dynamic analysis, a number of time steps occur between the defined stage times, and RS3 does not automatically output data for all mesh nodes for these intermediate time steps. When a Time Query is specified, the dynamic data will be recorded for all dynamic time steps occurring in the simulation, at the specified Time Query point(s).

Adding Time Queries

To create a series of time query points along a line segment within the solid material (i.e. rock or soil) use the Add Time Query option.

1. Select the Dynamic workflow tab
2. Select Add Time Query from the toolbar or in the Dynamic menu.
3. The Draw Polyline Pane should appear on the left.
4. Define the current plane in which all polylines coordinates must lie on by defining an origin point and normal vector. The normal vector is defined by the Plane Orientation options and can be any of the default XY, YZ or ZX planes as well as a custom plane. In the Plane Options section, define the origin point of the plane. In the case of a custom plane, you will be able to define both the origin point and normal vector in the Plane Options section.
5. Select a Path Defintion. This option allows you to draw:
   • P-line: Each entered vertex will generate a new line segment.
   • Arc: Draw a curved polyline using 3 Points on Arc, the Start, Center and End points or the Start, Center and Angle. For the Start, Center and Angle option, the Angle is measured counterclockwise about the selected plane normal from the start to the center point.
   • Curve: Not available at this time.
   • Circle: Draw a polyline circle by entering the Center, Point on Circle, center point of the circle and a point along its circumference. You can also use the Center and Radius option to enter the center point of the circle and its radius length.
   • Ellipse: Not available at this time.
   • Rect: Not available at this time.
6. Enter points graphically with the mouse, or enter coordinates in the Coordinate Input section. You can either type each coordinate in the input box or enter it into a table using the Edit Table option. The Coordinate Input section uses relative positions (U, V) from the plane origin where U represents the horizontal displacement from the origin and V represents the vertical displacement from the origin. It is important to distinguish the horizontal and vertical axis of the current drawing plane. You can easily find this information from the 2D viewport used to preview the drawn polyline. The horizontal and vertical axis of the viewport correspond to current U and V axes.
7. Accept the drawn polyline when you are satisfied with it.
8. You will see the Specify Query Locations dialog appear, in which you enter the number of query points on the line segment. The minimum number of query locations will automatically be used if the entered value is too small. The minimum number of query locations is the number of vertices in your polyline. Select OK.
9. A drawn polyline and a time query is generated in the model. The drawn polyline can be deleted without affecting the time query.

Editing Time Queries

Time queries cannot be edited after they are generated from polylines.

Deleting Time Queries

Time queries can be deleted from the Visibility Pane or Viewport similar to other entities. See the Delete Entities topic for more information.

Graphing Time Query Data

Time Query Line data can be graphed using the Graph Time Query Data option.